29.08.2026 19:40
The 4 suspects, who allegedly demanded 18 million dollars from journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy with the promise of obtaining a release and acquittal decision, have been referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for arrest.
The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested arrest for 4 suspects, including a lawyer, who were allegedly involved in a negotiation worth millions of dollars with complainant Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who is in prison, in exchange for promises of release and acquittal.
20 MILLION DOLLAR RELEASE NEGOTIATION
According to information reflected in the case file, complainant Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who was detained on a different charge, was visited in prison by suspect Lawyer Erel Muallaoğlu on August 20, 2026. During the visit, it was alleged that the suspect lawyer demanded 20 million US dollars in exchange for securing Ersoy's release.
When Mehmet Akif Ersoy conveyed the situation to his attorney, Lawyer Betül Ayfer Şeker, a criminal complaint was filed through Şeker with the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
HIDDEN CAMERA AND AUDIO RECORDING TECHNICAL SURVEILLANCE
Upon the instruction of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a meeting was planned for August 28, 2026, to discuss the proposed release and acquittal commitment. Within the scope of Article 140 of the CMK (Criminal Procedure Code), a technical surveillance measure was applied with a court decision.
The meeting was followed step by step with hidden video and audio recording devices placed on Attorney Betül Ayfer Şeker.
According to the analysis report in the case file, suspect Lawyer Erel Muallaoğlu and Yavuz Küçükyeşil first arrived at the meeting. Subsequently, other suspects Erkan Uzun and Hacı Eşiyok also joined the meeting.
AGREEMENT REACHED FOR 18 MILLION DOLLARS
As a result of the negotiation, it was determined that the amount requested in exchange for a guarantee of release and acquittal was reduced from 20 million dollars to 18 million US dollars, and an agreement was reached between the parties.
It was also recorded under technical surveillance that all suspects participated in the negotiation and tried to persuade the complainant's attorney.
SUSPECTS' STATEMENTS CONTRADICTED
The suspects denied the accusations against them during prosecutor's questioning. However, due to the technical surveillance analyses, their familiarity with the subject matter, and the contradictions in the defenses of suspects Erkan Uzun, Yavuz Küçükyeşil, and Hacı Eşiyok, their statements were not given credence.
4 SUSPECTS REFERRED WITH REQUEST FOR ARREST
Within the scope of the investigation conducted by Public Prosecutor Sefer Can Fırat, suspects Erel Muallaoğlu, Yavuz Küçükyeşil, Hacı Eşiyok, and Erkan Uzun were referred to the Duty Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for arrest on the charge of "Fraud by Claiming to Get a Job Done Due to Relationship with Public Officials" (TCK 158/2).
It was assessed that there were strong criminal suspicion and grounds for arrest regarding the suspects, in line with the evidence in the case file.